Speaking of Women

So one of my friends was wondering if I could explain some scriptures as I interpret them in regard to a very special topic to me: women preaching. It is a very controversial topic in the church as a whole and one that I believe deserves a lot of discussion. I hope to keep the discussion going and maybe contribute to it a bit.

Let me first say that I have no Biblical training as of yet. However, I have done my research on this topic and have worked hard to properly exegete this passage.



1 Corinthians 14: 34-35
Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

The most important things to consider when reading a portion of the Bible is to read it in context with history and culture, with the rest of that chapter, and with the overall message of the Bible.

Let's start with historical context. In that time period, women were treated very poorly. They were essentially property, uneducated, and not allowed to enter the synagogues. Therefore, Jesus talking with women (as a rabbi) was astonishing to the people of his day! He illustrated how much value women had in his eyes, and this value was continued through to the early church. However, the early Christians also understood that they needed to submit to the law. Women were not allowed to speak in public there. Just having the women in the church was a little on the edge, which is why Paul writes "as the law says".

Now in context with the rest of 1 Corinthians. It should be understood that Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth who were having a LOT of problems. Corinth was quite the party central and the...er...rowdiness was leaking into their services. Paul knew that and wanted to introduce some organization. Because women were not educated, they had a harder time understanding what was being said. So their talking would have been more like Grade 9s chatting to their pals in a university course.

The cool thing about this passage is 1) that women were allowed to be a part of the church 2) that if they wanted to learn they could ask their husbands. They were being given the chance to understand the message. Going back to the previous example, it would be like a university student privately tutoring a grade 9 student. In time, the Grade 9 would have a better understanding of what is being taught.

Later in the Bible we are introduced to a woman named Priscilla in Acts 18:24-26, who with her husband "explained the way of God more adequately" to a man named Apollos. She is shown as a smart and well-loved follower of Jesus. In fact, notice that when Priscilla and her husband Aquila are mentioned, her name is usually mentioned first! (See Acts 18:1-4; 18-28; Romans 16: 3-4; 1 Corinthians 16: 19; 2 Timothy 2: 14).

Because women did not have a full grasp of what scripture meant, they were not allowed to teach. (1 Timothy 2:12) It is apparent that Priscilla was one of the few women who learned very quickly the Gospel and so was allowed to teach.

Today's women are educated at the same level as men. There is no reason for a woman to not be able to teach. Indeed, she has many role models in the Bible of women who have stood up for what was wrong.

Esther (Book of Esther)
Deborah (Judges 4-5)
Ruth (Book of Ruth)
Abigail (1 Samuel 25)
(For cultural context into their stories see the Soul Sisters series at http://www.themeetinghouse.ca/)

I just want to leave you with two of my favorite verses. I hope that I've inspired you to take a closer look into this whole discussion and maybe give any girls you know aspiring to be pastors a pat on the back (wink wink)

Acts 2:17
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. :D